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Child hurt in fatal northern Indiana bus crash leaves ICU

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WISH) — The 11-year-old hurt in a fatal school bus crash near Rochester has left the intensive care unit at a Fort Wayne hospital, a family member said Friday. 

Maverik Lowe was hurt in an early-morning crash Oct. 30 on State Road 25 near Rochester when a pickup struck four children as they crossed the southbound lane. Three children from the same family died in the crash. Maverik was airlifted to Parkview Medical Center, where he underwent at least five surgeries. 

The boy suffered multiple broken bones and internal injuries, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Tony Slocum.

Angie Vanover, who said she is Maverik’s sister-in-law, said in a Facebook post that he has left the ICU and is improving. The boy also is getting some stitches out and receiving breathing treatments, she said.

“He’s been doing therapy which consists of sitting in a chair, he gets put in a sling and moved in and out of bed into a chair,” Vanover’s Facebook post said.

Alivia Stahl, 9, and her 6-year-old twin brothers, Xzavier and Mason Ingle, died at the scene. They lived in rural Rochester and were students at Mentone Elementary School. 

GoFundMe pages are raising money for the siblings’ family and for Maverik’s medical bills.

A public viewing for Alivia, Xzavier and Mason will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Private funeral services will be held later, according to obituaries for the three children. 

barbecue dinner to benefit the affected families is planned for Saturday at Tippecanoe Valley High School in Akron, Ind. 

The 24-year-old driver of the pickup truck, Alyssa Shepherd, faces three counts of reckless homicide and a misdemeanor traffic violation. Her initial hearing is set for 8 a.m. Nov. 13 in Fulton Superior Court. She was released from the Fulton County Jail after posting a $15,000 surety bond shortly after her arrest Oct. 30.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.